Slot game machine and pachinko machine equipped with slot game machine

ABSTRACT

A slot game machine in which plural kinds of numbers are arbitrarily appeared in each of three frame windows. The frame windows are arranged in juxtaposed relation and during the time the numbers in each frame window are being changed, one number out of the changing plural numbers is stopped in each frame window by corresponding stop means. One of the three frame windows is designed as a reference frame window and when the correlation among the numbers stopped in the respective frame windows becomes such that the number stopped in the reference frame window is larger than the number stopped in one of the remaining two frame windows but smaller than the number stopped in the other remaining frame window, a win signal is output. Another aspect is a pachinko machine equipped with the slot game machine.

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 09/974,208 filed Oct. 10, 2001.

FILED OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to an improvement of a slot game machine which is able to increase winning chances for increasing the enjoyment and a pachinko machine equipped with the slot game machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Slot game machines of this type have heretofore been known, in which plural kinds of numbers are arbitrarily appeared in each of three frame windows which are laterally arranged in juxtaposed relation. During the time the numbers in each frame window are being changed, one number out of the changing plural numbers is stopped in each frame window by corresponding stop means. When the numbers stopped in the three frame windows are all matched, a win signal is output to pay out win coins in case the machine is a slot game machine or to pay out win pachinko balls in case the machine is a pachinko machine equipped with a slot game machine.

[0004] The conventional slot game machines and conventional pachinko machines equipped with a slot game machine can, in face, offer enjoyment as a game machine to players. A typical example of conventional slot game machine is shown in “Slot Machines A Pictorial History of the First 100 Years” by Marshell Fey. In this example, the slot machine determines the winning condition by examining whether the numbers displayed on the reels are in a continuous sequence, for example, “2”, “3” and “4”. Thus, if the display of the slot machine is “2”, “4” and “5”, the winning condition is not reached. Thus, the winning condition is limited to only specific combinations.

[0005] When the winning condition is too limited, it may be difficult to keep the user's attention during the game. For example, in the conventional slot game machines like the one disclosed by the above noted document, when the first display number at the left slot is “3” and the second number in the middle slot is “6”, there is no possibility that the user will win this game because it is impossible to arrange the numbers in a continuous sequence. As a result, the user will quickly lose the interest in playing the game.

[0006] The inventor of the present invention has made extensive search and development in order to make an improved slot game machine and an improved pachinko machine equipped with the slot game machine with which players can really enjoy the play with fresh excitement and amusement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a slot game machine and a pachinko machine equipped with the slot game machine which can produce new enjoyment and enhanced amusement.

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a new way of arranging the numbers of winning condition on a slot game machine type apparatus to dramatically increase the chance to win the game.

[0009] From one aspect of the present invention, there is provided, in order to achieve the above object, a slot game machine in which a plurality of numbers are arbitrarily appeared in each of three frame windows which are arranged in a juxtaposed relationship and during the time the numbers in each frame window are being changed, one number out of the changing plural numbers is stopped in each frame window by corresponding stop means, wherein one of the three frame windows is designed as a reference frame window and when the correlation among the numbers stopped in the respective frame windows becomes such that the number stopped in the reference frame window is larger than the number stopped in one of the remaining two frame windows but smaller than the number stopped in the other remaining frame window, a win signal is output.

[0010] In the above slot game machine, the changing numbers in the reference frame window may be stopped last. Alternatively, the changing numbers in the reference frame window may be stopped first.

[0011] From another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided, in order to achieve the above object, a pachinko machine equipped with the slot game machine in which a plurality of numbers are arbitrarily appeared in each of three frame windows which are arranged in a juxtaposed relationship and with a condition of a particular win pachinko ball, the numbers in the three frame windows are changed by appropriate means and the numbers being changed in each of the three frame windows are stopped by corresponding stop means such that one number out of the changing plural numbers in each of the three frame windows, wherein one of the three frame windows is designed as a reference frame window and when the correlation among the numbers stopped in the respective frame windows becomes such that the number stopped in the reference frame window is larger than the number stopped in one of the remaining two frame windows but smaller than the number stopped in the other remaining frame window, a win signal is output.

[0012] In the above pachinko machine equipped with a slot machine, the changing numbers in the reference frame window may be stopped last. Alternatively, the changing numbers in the reference frame window may be stopped first.

[0013] Since a slot game machine according to the present invention has the above-mentioned construction, a win signal can be output with a combination of numbers which can never be found in any combination of win numbers of the conventional slot game machines.

[0014] The mathematical probability of winning is greatly increased by the present invention because the winning condition includes not only a continuous sequence but non-continuous sequence as well. Accordingly, the enjoyment in expectation of winning the game is greatly enhanced by the slot game machine of the present invention. Therefore, with the use of the slot game machine according to the present invention, entirely new entertainment and amusement can be enjoyed.

[0015] In the case where the changing numbers in the reference frame window are designed to be stopped last, the number to be stopped in the reference frame window must satisfy the two conditions mentioned above and therefore, excitement is skyrocketed until the particular number is stopped.

[0016] Moreover, since a pachinko machine equipped with the slot game machine according to the present invention has the above-mentioned construction, a win signal can be output with a combination of numbers which can never be found in any combination of win numbers of the conventional pachinko machines equipped with a slot game machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of one embodiment of a slot game machine according to the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a pachinko machine equipped with the slot game machine of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 which is an explanatory view of one embodiment of a slot game machine.

[0020] In FIG. 1, a reference symbol S denotes a slot game machine and a reference number 11 denotes a coin stock box of the slot game machine S. The coin stock box 11 stocks therein a predetermined number of coins (hereinafter referred to as the “win coins”) which are paid out for every win. A reference number 12 denotes a door unit having a door 121. This door unit 12 is disposed under the coin stock box 11. The door unit 12 is connected to the coin stock box 11 through a first duct 13. Because of this arrangement, the win coins reach an upper part of the door unit 12 through the first duct 13. A reference number 14 denotes a second duct. The second duct 14 is connected to a lower side of the door unit 12. The win coins are discharged into a coin tray 15, which is installed at a lower part of the slot game machine 8, through the second duct 14.

[0021] A reference number 16 denotes a hopper of the coin stock box 11, and a reference number 17 denotes a main duct. The main duct 17 supplements continually a predetermined number of coins which are paid out for every one win, to the coin stock box 11 through the hopper 16.

[0022] A reference symbol D denotes a slot display unit in the above slot game machine. Reference numbers 21, 22 and 23 denote numeric frame windows of the slot display unit D. There are three numeric frame windows 21, 22, 23. Although those three numeric frame windows 21, 22, 23 are aligned horizontally (i.e., laterally arranged in juxtaposed relation) in this embodiment, they may be arranged diagonally. In this embodiment, the numeric frame window 22 located at the center is designed as a reference frame window. However, any one of the numeric frame windows 21, 22, 23 may be designed as a reference frame window. The numbers appeared within the numeric frame windows 21, 22, 23 are changeable within a range of 0 to 9 by rotation of a drum or endless belt which is actuated by appropriate driving means such as, for example, a stepping motor as a driving source for the conventional slot game machine, or by means of a digital display.

[0023] In the example of FIG. 1, a number “1” is displayed in the numeric frame window 21, a number “5” is displayed in the reference numeric frame window 22, and a number “9” is displayed in the numeric frame window 23, respectively. Reference numbers 31, 32, 33 denote control levers (stop means). Those control levers 31, 32, 33 are installed in such a manner as to correspond to the numeric frame windows 21, 22 and 23, respectively. The player controls those control levers 21, 22, 23, independently. By doing so, the numbers changing in the respective numeric frame windows 21, 22, 23 can be stopped so that one specific number is stopped and displayed in each numeric frame window.

[0024] It is also possible that by controlling the main lever M, the above-mentioned three control levers 31, 31, 33 can be stropped one after another, as indicated by imaginary lines. In this case, it can be designed such that the control lever 32 for the reference numeric frame window 22 located at the middle is stopped last. Alternatively, it can be so designed that the reference frame window 22 is stopped first. The first control lever 31 is for stopping the numeric frame window 21, the second control lever 32 is for stopping the numeric frame window 22 and the third control lever 33 is for stopping the numeric frame window 23.

[0025] It is also an interesting alternative that by appropriate driving means such as a stepping motor as a driving source for the conventional slot game machine, the changing numbers in each numeric frame window are stopped to show only one number each after passage of a predetermined time from the time the numbers start changing.

[0026] When the correlation among the numbers stopped in the respective numeric frame windows 21, 22, 23 becomes such that the number in the reference numeric frame window 22 located at the middle is larger than the number in the numeric frame window 21 on the left side but smaller than the number in the numeric frame window 23 on the right side (the state of FIG. 1), or such that the number in the reference numeric frame window 22 located at the middle is smaller than the number in the numeric frame window 21 on the left side but larger than the number in the numeric frame window 23 on the right side (opposite to the state of FIG. 1), a win signal is electrically transmitted to a control unit C by appropriate means such as, for example, detection means for detecting figures and numbers used in the conventional slot game machine.

[0027] Upon receipt of the win signal, the control unit C actuates driving means (solenoid or the like) for the door unit 12 so that the door 121 is opened. Then, the win coins stocked in the coin stock box 11 are discharged into the coin tray 15 through the second duct 14. When a predetermined time is passed after the coins are discharged, the driving means (solenoid or the like) for the door unit 12 is actuated through the control unit C to close the door 121. On the other hand, the corresponding number of coins just paid out as the win coins are supplemented to the coin stock box 11 through the main duct 17 and the hopper 16.

EXAMPLE 1

[0028] Presume that a number “0” stops in the numeric frame window 21 as a first number (number to be stopped first) and a number “9” stops in the numeric frame window 23 as a second number (number to be stopped second). In this condition, if a number “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “5”, “6”, “7” or “8” stops in the reference numeric frame window 22 as a last number (number to be stopped last), a win signal is output. If a number “0” or “9” stops in the reference numeric frame window 22 as a last number, no win signal is output. Thus, this situation provides a very large chance to win.

[0029] Likewise, presume that a number “9” stops in the numeric frame window 21 as a first number and a number “0” stops in the numeric frame window 23 as a second number. In this condition, if a number “1”, “2” “3”, “4”, “5”, “6”, “7” or “8” stops in the reference numeric frame window 22 as a last number, a win signal is also output. If a number “0” or “9” stops in the reference numeric frame window 22 as a last number, no win signal is output. Thus, this situation provides a very large chance to win.

EXAMPLE 2

[0030] Presume that a number “2” stops in the numeric frame window 21 as a first number (number to be stopped first) and a number “8” stops in the numeric frame window 23 as a second number (number to be stopped second). In this condition, if a number “3”, “4”, “5”, “6” or “7” stops in the reference numeric frame window 22 as a last number (number to be stopped last), a win signal is output. If a number “1”, “2”, “8” or “9” stops in the reference numeric frame window 22 as a last number, no win signal is output. Although smaller than that in the example 1 above, the user still has a large chance to win the game.

[0031] Likewise, presume that a number “8” stops in the numeric frame window 21 as a first number and a number “2” stops in the numeric frame window 23 as a second number. In this condition, if a number “3”, “4”, “5”, “6” or “7” stops in the reference numeric frame window 22 as a last number, a win signal is also output. If a number “1”, “2”, “8” or “9” stops in the reference numeric frame window 22 as a last number, no win signal is output. Although smaller than that in the example 1 above, the user still has a large chance to win the game.

EXAMPLE 3

[0032] Presume that a number “2” stops in the numeric frame window 21 as a first number and a number “6” stops in the numeric frame window 23 as a second number. In this condition, only if a number “5” stops in the reference numeric frame window 22 as a last number, a win signal is output. However, even if one of the remaining numbers “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “6”, “7”, “8” and “9” stops in the reference numeric frame window 22 as a last number, no win signal is output.

[0033] Likewise, presume that a number “6” stops in the numeric frame window 21 as a first number and a number “4” stops in the numeric frame window 23 as a second number. In this condition, only if a number “5” stops in the reference numeric frame window 22 as a last number, a win signal is also output. If a number “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “6”, “7”, “8” or “9” stops in the reference numeric frame window 22 as a last number, no win signal is output.

EXAMPLE 4

[0034] Presume that a number “4” stops in the numeric frame window 21 as a first number and a number “7” stops in the numeric frame window 23 as a second number. In this condition, only if a number “5” or “6” stops in the reference numeric frame window 22 as a last number, a win signal is output. However, even if one of the remaining numbers “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “7”, “8” and “9” stops in the reference numeric frame window 22 as a last number, no win signal is output.

[0035] Likewise, presume that a number “7” stops in the numeric frame window 21 as a first number and a number “4” stops in the numeric frame window 23 as a second number. In this condition, only if a number “5” or “6” stops in the reference numeric frame window 22 as a last number, a win signal is also output. If a number “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “7”, “8” or “9” stops in the reference numeric frame window 22 as a last number, no win signal is output.

EXAMPLE 5

[0036] Presume that a number “5” stops in the numeric frame window 21 as a first number and another number “5” stops in the numeric frame window 23 as a second number. In this condition, even if any number stops in the reference numeric frame window 22 as a last number, no win signal is output. In other words, no win signal is output at all in that condition. Only when there is a difference (integer) between the number which stops in the first numeric frame window 21 as a first number and a number which stops in the numeric frame window 23 as a second number, a win signal is output.

[0037] Although in the above examples, the numeric frame window 21 is set to a numeric frame window in which a first number (number to be stopped first) stops, the numeric frame window 23 is set to a numeric frame window in which a second number (number to be stopped second) stops and the numeric frame window 22 is set to a numeric frame window in which a reference number (number to be stopped last) stops, the roles of those numeric frame windows 21, 22 and 23 may be interchanged in accordance with necessity.

[0038] In the present invention, especially as in the examples 1 and 2 noted above, the user has the increased possibility of winning the game because the numbers on the frame windows 21, 22 and 23 need not be continuous sequence. Thus, it takes a long time to see whether the user will win or lose the game in the present invention. Thus, the user's attention is still directed to playing the game in expectation and excitement of winning the game. Furthermore, the present invention gives a better feedback because the user can more accurately determine the possibility of winning as the game progresses.

[0039] For instance, if the first number at the left frame window is “2” and the second number in the middle frame window is “3”, the user can win if the third frame window is either one that selected from “5” to “9”. On the other hand, if the first number at the left frame window is “4” and the second number in the middle frame window is “8”, the possibility of winning is much lower because “9” is the only number for the user to win. This instant feedback to the user adds enjoyment to playing the game.

[0040] Even when the order of stopping the number is changed, the characteristics of the present invention allows the user to enjoy the game by giving him more chance of winning and good feedback. For instance, if the user stops the right frame window, the left frame window, and the middle frame window in that order, the possibility of winning depends upon the difference between the number at the right frame window and the number at the left frame window.

[0041] Still other additional benefit of the present invention is that it entices the user to play the game because it appears to be “easier” to play and win the game. As described foregoing, the present invention presents a new way of arranging the number. Rather than arranging the numbers continuously, the user will attempt to “dodge a number” when the user wishes to avoid close numbers to show up in order to raise the possibility of winning. The user may attempt to “put an in-between number” when the numbers in the first two frame windows are already determined.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, the slot display unit D described above may be applied to a pachinko machine P. In this case, the slot display unit D is mounted on the front nailed panel of the pachinko machine P. With a condition of a particular win ball (for example, a pachinko ball 93 which is received into a win hole 92 formed in the front nailed panel 91 of the pachinko machine P), the drum, the endless belt, or the digital display is actuated by the appropriate driving means such as, for example, a stepping motor as a driving source for the conventional slot game machine S. The main lever (button) M and the control levers (buttons) 31, 32, 33 are operated in the same way as the slot game machine S described above. Further, the drum, endless belt, or the digital display can be stopped automatically after the passage of the predetermined time. In this case, a predetermined number of win balls instead of win coins are paid out. In this way, the present invention can be incorporated in a pachinko machine P equipped with the slot game machine S. In FIG. 2, a reference number 95 denotes a ball discharging handle, and a reference number 96 denotes a nail.

[0043] In this embodiment, the numeric frame window located at the center is designed as a reference numeric frame window. However, depending on the construction of pachinko machines, the numeric frame window located on the right side or on the left side (FIGS. 1 and 2) may be designed as a reference numeric frame window.

[0044] Moreover, the arrangement of the numeric frame windows are not limited to the horizontal arrangement as illustrated. They may, of course, be arranged diagonally in a linear form obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A slot game machine, comprising: three frame windows aligned proximately with one another where a display of each frame window shows a changing number; stop means for each of said frame windows which allows a user to stop said changing number to display one stopped number for each frame window; and a win condition determination means which determines whether a user wins a game; wherein one frame window among said three frame windows is designated as a reference frame window, and said win condition determination means outputs a win signal when the number in said reference frame window is larger than the number stopped in one of the remaining two frame windows but smaller than the number stopped in the other remaining frame window, and all of the stopped numbers in the three frame windows are non-continuously sequential.
 2. A slot game machine according to claim 1, wherein said display of said reference frame window is stopped last to show one stopped number.
 3. A pachinko machine equipped with a slot game machine, comprising: a nailed panel having one or more win holes for receiving a pachinko ball; three frame windows formed on the nail panel in close proximity with one another where a display of each of the frame window shows a changing number based on a condition of a particular win pachinko ball; stop means for each of said frame windows which allows a user to stop said changing number to display one stopped number; and a win condition determination means to determine whether a user wins a game; wherein one frame window among said three frame windows is designated as a reference frame window, and said win condition determination means outputs a win signal when the number in said reference frame window is larger than the number in one of the remaining two frame windows but smaller than the number in the other remaining frame window, and all the stopped numbers in the three frame windows are non-continuously sequential.
 4. A pachinko machine equipped with a slot game machine according to claim 3, wherein said display of said reference frame window is stopped last to show one stopped number. 